Pivotal players to watch in the AFC in 2014

Which NFL players might hold the keys to their teams' success in 2014? Here's a candidate for each AFC team:

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills — WR Sammy Watkins: A lot of pressure for a rookie, but the No. 4 pick of the draft will be the focal point of the passing game in light of Stevie Johnson's departure. Watkins is excellent with the ball in his hands, and the Bills might be wise to mix in some jet sweeps or other handoffs to ensure he's constantly involved. His development is also sure to correlate to that of second-year QB EJ Manuel. Also watch LB Brandon Spikes

Miami Dolphins — LT Branden Albert: His five-year, $47 million free agent contract establishes him as the linchpin of a new-look O-line, and he'll also likely have to be its leader until C Mike Pouncey recovers from offseason hip surgery that's expected to shelve him for several games. Perhaps most importantly, Albert must be central in limiting the sacks suffered by QB Ryan Tannehill (NFL-high 58 in 2013) while sparking a dormant running game. Also watch LB Koa Misi

New England Patriots — CB Darrelle Revis: QB Tom Brady could probably line up with 10 Red Sox players and still guide the offense to a top-five finish. But with his ability to delete elite wideouts by himself, Revis should embolden Bill Belichick and coordinator Matt Patricia to get far more creative defensively. Don't be surprised to see more exotic blitz packages and/or double teams on opponents' secondary targets. Also watch WR Danny Amendola

New York Jets — QB Geno Smith: A wildly inconsistent rookie season ended on a high note with more efficient play from Smith as the Jets closed with three wins in their final four games. Now surrounded by needed offensive weaponry like WR Eric Decker and RB Chris Johnson, Smith has drawn rave reviews so far in training camp but needs to keep the good vibes going into the season if the Jets are to return to the playoffs. Also watch CB Dee Milliner

Baltimore Ravens — QB Joe Flacco: The onus of operating new coordinator Gary Kubiak's (very foreign) offense falls on Flacco's head and shoulders. The seventh-year passer must also adjust to new targets (WR Steve Smith, TE Owen Daniels) and blockers without relying on suspended RB Ray Rice during the season's first two contests, both divisional games. And after cashing in on that Super Bowl XLVII high, there will be pressure on Flacco to justify his $120 million contract in the wake of his worst pro season (career-worst 22 INTs, 73.1 rating). Also watch S Matt Elam

Cincinnati Bengals — QB Andy Dalton: Many fans would love to root for a quarterback who wins 63% of his regular-season starts while steadily improving his production (though Dalton must curb his growing interception figures). But maintaining the Bengals as a playoff club and posting Pro Bowl stats isn't enough anymore for Dalton, who must break into the postseason 'W' column — especially that he's now broken into owner Mike Brown's bank. Also watch TE Tyler Eifert

Cleveland Browns — ILB Karlos Dansby: Whether it's Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel, the Browns can probably only rely so much on their offense. And that means the defense will almost surely need another top-10 performance if this team is to make a serious playoff push. Enter Dansby, who replaces D'Qwell Jackson as the D's quarterback, after a career season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. Another playmaking year from him could unlock this unit's substantial potential. Also watch TE Jordan Cameron

Pittsburgh Steelers — OLB Jarvis Jones: Rookies typically don't make much noise in coordinator Dick LeBeau's intricate defense. Jones was no exception in 2013 (one sack in 14 games). But it's time for last year's first rounder to make his presence felt as the Steelers move ahead with him and fellow youngster Jason Worilds on the edge after successfully relying on departed James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley for so many years. Also watch C Maurkice Pouncey

QB Russell Wilson watches from the Seahawks practice facility in Renton, Wash., as a Marines swimmer jumps from a helicopter into Lake Washington during a military demonstration July 31.
Ted S. Warren, AP

Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Eric Bieniemy gives instruction to Jamaal Charles during a NFL training camp, Wednesday, July 30, 2014 on the Missouri Western State University campus in St. Joseph. Mo.
Todd Weddle, AP

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Houston Texans — ILB Brian Cushing: Not only is this team captain's leadership a key to this club, his impact on the defensive efficacy is readily apparent. The Texans allowed 268 yards per game with Cushing on the field in 2013, but that figure ballooned to 356 yards after he broke his left fibula and suffered ligament damage in his knee in Week 7. Houston didn't win a game without Cushing last year, but a steadied defense could be key to keep a team with a transitioning offense relevant in 2014. Also watch QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Indianapolis Colts — WR Reggie Wayne: Coach Chuck Pagano and QB Andrew Luck consider the recuperating wideout the emotional heartbeat of the Colts, who struggled noticeably when he was lost to a torn anterior cruciate ligament midway through the 2013 season. With TE Dwayne Allen and WR Hakeem Nicks expected to diversify the passing game, Wayne may no longer need to be a 1,000-yard receiver, but there's no understating what his presence does by providing ballast to an ascending club. Also watch RB Trent Richardson

Jacksonville Jaguars — RB Toby Gerhart: The Heisman Trophy runner-up at Stanford in 2009 and former backup to Adrian Peterson is the newly anointed workhorse of the Jacksonville backfield. The Jags may have to start a pair of rookie wideouts in 2014 — and perhaps even rookie QB Blake Bortles — so it may be up to Gerhart to provide steady production for an unproven offense, though he'll need help from a rebuilt O-line. Also watch S Johnathan Cyprien

Tennessee Titans — QB Jake Locker: His numbers were good, and the Titans were playing winning football behind Locker in 2013 until he was put down by the injury bug. Now he's playing for a second contract while hoping to thrive (and stay upright) while operating in his third different offense over the past three seasons. But Locker is hopeful he can have the type of impact Ben Roethlisberger did while playing for Ken Whisenhunt. Also watch RB Bishop Sankey

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos — OLB Von Miller: A depleted defense was hardly the sole culprit in Denver's Super Bowl XLVIII blowout defeat. But having its best player back — Miller was never in peak form last year even when he was available (nine games played) — should offer quite a boost to a group bolstered by free agency and the healthy returns of other Broncos. Lighter, happier and playing opposite DeMarcus Ware, Miller should spearhead a potentially stifling group. Also watch RB Montee Ball

Kansas City Chiefs — WR Dwayne Bowe: He is the team's best wideout, though that's a backhanded compliment. Bowe certainly didn't live up to the $56 million deal he signed in 2013 and is now four years removed from his lone Pro Bowl season. He's lost weight in a bid to become more dynamic and needs to play like a No. 1 receiver if the offense is achieve any diversity outside of giving the ball to RB Jamaal Charles. Also watch LT Eric Fisher

Oakland Raiders — DE Justin Tuck: The Raiders were subject to plenty of criticism after allotting so much cap space to players seemingly past their primes. But with a Pro Bowl resume and Super Bowl rings on each hand, Tuck might be best able to infuse some championship DNA back into this franchise given his willingness to lead and offer unsparing honesty. Oh, and he did manage 11 sacks in 2013. Also watch QB Matt Schaub

San Diego Chargers — OLB Dwight Freeney: He hasn't reached double-digit sacks since 2010 and only appeared in four games last year before a quadriceps tear ended his season. Still, even if Freeney is limited to mostly passing downs, if he can inject some juice into the Bolts' pass rush, a 29th- ranked pass defense armed with new defensive backs could improve considerably. Also watch TE Ladarius Green